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Truly a miniature, Pinus strobus ‘Sea Urchin’ has giant appeal. Soft bluish green needles cover this little mound that reminds one of its namesake, the sea urchin. Selected by Sydney Waxman in 1978, ‘Sea Urchin’ remains one of the most sought after miniature conifers. Its small rounded shape and very slow growth make it perfect for the patio garden in troughs or containers. Plant with companion alpine plants in the rock garden for excellent results. Like most miniature pines, annual removal of fallen interior foliage is beneficial. Mature size: 2’H x 2’W Zone 3

The habit of the extremely dense Picea glauca ‘Humpty Dumpty’ explains it’s name: short and plump and kind of egg-shaped, like the nursery rhyme character. With nearly equal base width and height, it forms an almost perfect pyramid that is only two-thirds the size of P.g. ‘Conica.’ Mature size: 3’H x 2’W Zone 4

Small, blunt needles look like green grains of rice interspersed with tiny brown buds. Diminutive branches crowded with branchlets form a tight, congested bun. Tsuga diversifolia ‘Loowit’ was selected from seed collected in the high alpine region of Fukushima prefecture, Japan. It was given the Native American name for Mt. St. Helens, Iseli Nursery’s famous volcanic neighbor. Mature size: 2’H x 2’W Zone 4

Abies koreana ‘Cis’ has radiating, dark green needles which lie flat on the stems and are highlighted by attractive, small, brown buds at the branch tips. This slow-growing, flattened, spherical plant has a formal, tidy appearance and glistening foliage that draws attention in the garden. Selected in Holland in 1989. Mature size: 1.5’H x 2’W Zone 4

Softer in color and in needle texture than dwarf Picea pungens cultivars, this compact, globose spruce traces its roots to a species native to the Rocky Mountains. Rarely seen in the trade, the muted, blue-green Picea engelmannii ‘Jasper’ thrives in cool, mountain conditions, so its subtle, rugged beauty makes a perfect addition to the alpine garden. Mature size: 3’H x 2’W Zone 3

Silvery blue on one side, green on the other, the long-enduring, straight needles of Pinus parviflora ‘Aoi’ give the naturally sculpted, upright tree a lush look. Sturdy branches display attractive silver-grey bark and loads of small cones. The slender architectural tree makes a dramatic feature and contributes an Asian aesthetic to the landscape. Provide full sun and good drainage. Mature size: 15’H x 8’W Zone 5

The classic Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) may well be the most popular, familiar, dwarf conifer in cultivation. It grows slowly into a perfectly conical, small tree with a thick coating of fine, green needles. Its perfect form, compact growth and dense foliage make it ideal for entry, container and landscape. It responds well to shearing and shaping for topiary too. Found at Lake Leggan, Alberta, Canada, by Prof. J.G. Jack and Alfred Rehder of the Arnold Arboretum in 1904, it appreciates consistent moisture, good nutrition and an occasional blast from the garden hose during summer to increase pest resistance. Mature size: 6’H x 3’W Zone 4

One of the finest of the TRUdwarf^® Mugos, Pinus mugo ‘Sherwood Compact’ displays short, stiff branches that are heavily clothed with slightly twisted needles. Discovered in the 1950’s by plantsman Andy Sherwood, the compact, dense mound produces rich green foliage with golden tips in winter and white fascicles that give plants a radiant look that is full of character. Mature size: 3’H x 4’W Zone 2

An exciting addition to the TRUdwarf collection of mugo pines, Pesto® has a unique spreading habit. Its vibrant green needles contrast strongly with its attractive brownish purple buds. Maintaining its ground-hugging form with minimal or no pruning, Pesto® provides the gardener with a low maintenance choice. Extremely adaptable and hardy, Pesto’s® consistency, reliability, and attractiveness make it an excellent choice for many areas. Mature size: 10″H x 18″W Zone 2

The unique color of the compact, Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Cream Ball’ is neither white nor yellow, but more a rich shade of cream, that will complement many landscapes. A close look at the foliage shows that a range of colors and textures, including bluish needles and green scales that are tipped with blond, contribute to the glowing effect. The well-mannered, easy-to-grow conifer maintains a uniform globe shape without shearing and makes a dressy accent or, lined up, an attractive border edge. More sun exposure will produce a brighter impact. Mature size: 6’H x 6’W Zone 4